Published 2:54 pm, Friday, April 22, 2016

Heidi Elaine Derks-Rehmann, of Bay City, died Wednesday morning at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids, according to James Jashinske, Tuscola County undersheriff.

Derks-Rehmann was seriously injured after her vehicle was struck by a Saturn Outlook driven by Lisa Wilmot, 45, of Mayville.

The accident left Derks-Rehmann trapped in her Lincoln for almost an hour. She was extricated from her car by the Vassar and Millington-Arbela fire departments and then transported by MMR Ambulance to Covenant Medical Center in Saginaw, according to Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office.

Derks-Rehmann was transported from Covenant Medical Center to Grand Rapids for surgery to repair her leg that was severely injured from the crash. The surgery took place Tuesday, Jahninske said.

Preliminary investigation shows that Wilmot was heading west when her vehicle crossed the centerline and struck three vehicles. According to Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office, Wilmot was distracted by trying to put something into her purse.

Wilmot also received serious injuries and was transported to Covenant Medical Center. An update on her condition was not available.

The other two drivers — Daniel Reinbold, 20, of Reese, and Angeline Zavala, 21, of Bay City — received minor injuries and were not transported to the hospital.

Dr. Kanu Varani, Tuscola Medical Examiner, has scheduled an autopsy for Thursday morning to determine the cause of death.

The crash remains under investigation by Tuscola County Sheriff deputies.